Saab’s Suprisingly Slick Phoenix Hybrid

Saab floored a lot of people at the Geneva auto show with the Phoenix, a slick gas-electric concept that provides a glimpse of the automaker’s future now that Spyker’s taken over from General Motors.

The futuristic yet accessible car showcases some of the technology we’ll see in the next generation of vehicles and some of the styling cues design boss Jason Castriota — who’s done work for Pininfarina, among others — is bringing to the Swedish automaker. It’s a bit outlandish, as concepts often are, and the rear end has way too many LEDs. But the “aeromotional” design is an homage to Saab‘s aviation roots and “a new reference point” for future models.

“It symbolizes a renaissance of the innovative spirit and passion that drove Saab to build its first car,” Castriota said in a statement. “We’re now taking the visual DNA forward with what we call ‘aeromotional’ design, adding emotion, power and fluidity.”

The design looks back even as it looks to the future and suggests we’ll see the return of Saab’s vintage teardrop shape.

Saab says the Phoenix "draws expression" from the 1946 Ursaab.

The car draws inspiration from the Ursaab developed in 1946 by the aircraft engineers who launched the company. The two cars share the same teardrop, wind-blown look and the Phoenix was designed with aerodynamics foremost in mind. Saab says the sawn-off kammback tail evokes the Sonett, the company’s first coupe.

Other flairs include butterfly doors and unusual roof-mounted “winglets.” Saab says they direct airflow across the rear deck, reducing lift without increasing drag. Overall, the design is evocative and aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of 0.25.

The interior is as minimalist as the exterior is stylized. It’s a 2+2 layout, with heads-up display, ambient lighting and the Android-powered IQon infotainment system we’ll see next year in the Saab 9-3.

We’ll also see the hybrid drivetrain in a version of the 9-3. In keeping with CEO Victor Muller’s embrace of small-displacement turbocharged engines, Phoenix uses a 1.6-liter turbo’d four. It’s good for 200 horsepower and drives the front wheels. A 25 kilowatt (34 horsepower) electric motor, powered by a small battery of undisclosed size and chemistry, drives the rear.

Saab says the all-wheel-drive system accelerates from zero to 60 in less than 6 seconds and delivers 47 mpg when mated to a six-speed manual. CO2 emissions are pegged at 119 grams per kilometer.